Imagine a soda fountain and lunch counter tucked inside an art deco bar and you might have some idea what awaits you at this midtown joint. Located inside the former Stutz automobile showroom (a few sandwiches are named after models from the long-defunct carmaker), the Fountain on Locust offers soups, sandwiches and ice-cream treats for the kid inside all of us - as well as a few ice-cream martinis for the adults. Standout sandwiches include the "Prosperity Panini," with grilled zucchini and hummus; and the "Royal Grille," a grilled-cheese with slices of Fuji apple. Desserts include decadent sundaes. Ask for two spoons or surrender to your sweet tooth.
Old Bakery is currently offering six house-brewed beers, which are made with 100 percent certified organic malts and hops made in the U.S. Right now, there's a porter, an English pale ale, India brown ale, rye pale ale, magnum pale ale and a dark mild. The brewery was founded by two Urban Chestnut alums, Lauren Pattan and James Rogalsky, who are both from Alton.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company’s original microbrewery in Midtown is a gem of a biergarten that serves up a delicious and rotating selection of beers. Brewmaster Florian Kuplent brings nearly two decades of beer-making experience and a novel brewing philosophy that results in two different lines of beer; Urban Chestnut’s “Reverence” series pays homage to the European brewing heritage with classic brewing techniques and styles, while “Revolution” employs more innovative, artisanal techniques to create contemporary American beers. So, whether you prefer the yeastiness of an old-school Bavarian lager like the Zwickel or a hopped-up monster of an ale like the STLIPA, Urban Chestnut’s got you covered. In addition to their excellent selection, Urban Chestnut offers a small food menu mostly composed of German biergarten staples like sausages, pretzel bread and mustard, as well as a small selection of both domestic and imported cheeses.